The Sunday Roast Test: How to Know if a Pub is Really Toddler-Friendly

There's "kids welcome" on the door, and then there's actually being set up for families. The best way to tell the difference? The Sunday roast test.

Walk into any pub on a Sunday lunchtime, and you'll immediately know if families are genuinely welcome or just tolerated. It's written in everything from the menu to how staff react when you walk in with your toddler. Here's what to look for.

The menu matters. Proper family-friendly pubs don't just slap "chicken nuggets and chips" on a kids' menu and call it done. Look for smaller portions of the main roast, vegetables that aren't just frozen peas, and genuine thought about what children might eat. If the kids' menu looks like it was created in 1995 and never updated, that's your first red flag. The best spots offer a mini roast—proper Yorkshire pudding, a few slices of meat, and real vegetables. Because kids can eat normal food, imagine that.

The seating arrangement tells you everything. Family-friendly pubs cluster families together near the garden door or in a specific area with more space. This isn't segregation—it's smart design. Parents can relax knowing their toddler's noise won't disturb the couple having a romantic lunch. If the host seats you right next to the quiet corner where couples are reading Sunday papers, this pub hasn't thought about families at all.

High chairs shouldn't require a treasure hunt. At genuinely family-friendly spots, you'll see high chairs already positioned near family tables. Staff grab one for you before you even ask. The trays are clean, the straps work, and there are usually several available—because they've planned for more than one family showing up on Sunday. If you have to ask three times and someone eventually hauls a dusty one from a cupboard, take note.

Garden access is the ultimate test. Can toddlers access the outdoor space easily? Is there anything for them to do out there? The best pubs have contained gardens where you can see your child from your table. Bonus points for play equipment, but even just safe space to toddle around works. If the garden is up steep steps or through a complicated route, this pub hasn't designed for families in the real world.

Next Sunday, try the roast test at a new pub. You'll spot the genuine family-friendly places immediately.

TotSpot's reviews from real parents tell you which pubs pass the Sunday roast test before you book.